I have been reading a great Christian fiction book. The setting is in old Rome when they were overtaking many countries, and many people. They had overtaken Jews in all their cities, and homes. Where the story follows a little Jewish girl. Who in the end turns out to be a Christian. This was during the time when they would burn Christians as human torches in the arena for light. To keep this short what I really love about this book are the many little biblical references. The most recent was when an old lady was walking and talking with a fellow, when she told him the story of when she had heard her Lord speak. That she was in the crowd when He broke bread, gave thanks and fed the five thousand. I mean how amazing would that have been to be there on that day! Well this got me thinking about the life of the early Christian, and how it had to have been to be literally one of the only few that believed that Jesus is the Christ. To take it a step farther, to be one of those who heard Him preach!
Thinking about Jesus and Him preaching reminded me, He didn’t stay
in one spot for long. We read over and over that He moved across a large bit of
water, and back. That He went into this town and that... you get the idea.
these people who heard Him and believed He was the Christ may or may not have
ever really gotten the chance to hear Him personally again. Though I am sure
that they talked among themselves, but all in all they probably only really
heart Him preach once or twice. After such a message they chose to change their
live, and believe He was the Christ. After such a message they lived their life
based on what He said! WOW!!! One sermon and a life was changed!
How does this fit in with us today? Well let’s look at a few
things. How did Jesus speak and do things that would change people’s life when
only having one moment, or day with them? He tells us:
Joh 8:26 NKJV
I have many things to say and to judge concerning
you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak
to the world those things which I heard
from Him."
Joh 8:28 NKJV
Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift
up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me,
I speak these things.
Joh 8:38 NKJV
I speak what I have seen with
My Father, and you do what you have seen
with your father."
Joh 14:10 NKJV
Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the
Father in Me? The words that I speak to you
I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does
the works.
We see it here, Jesus only Spoke what He heard the Father speak!
How did He know these things? We know He often went away to pray by Himself.
Jesus in all His ministry never failed to get away and spend time with His
Father! He never failed to pray! He knew the Father, and the Father knew Him!
So there lies point number one: Pray! Pray without ceasing 1Th_5:17
Jesus also said something else that we need to look at quickly:
Joh 14:26 NKJV
But the Helper, the Holy
Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
The Holy Spirit! The Father has sent Him to you and me! So that we
will have a "Helper" in the ministry. Where He will teach us all
things we need to know, and do! And where He will "bring to remembrance
all things" which Jesus said! Now that leads me to believe that we must
know something of what Jesus said, right? How do we know what Jesus said? We
read/study the bible. That is the written word of God! Here is the promise we
have: That whatever bible/word we put into our hearts the Holy Spirit will
bring to remembrance those things that you need to minister at the right time!
So here lies point number two: Feast on His word! Feast on it daily!!!
Finally, we know that we are called to minister. For Jesus has
given us the great commission Mar_16:15, Luk_24:47 So if we are to minister to others we
have at least two things we need to be doing to prepare us, and assist us in
that. Prayer, and feasting daily! Though if you are anything like me I at times
am fearful of ministering to others. Most often it is not knowing what to say.
I see the hurting and the needy but I do not know what to minster to their
hearts. Well again Jesus has given us the promise of the Holy Spirit and His
teachings!
Luk 12:12 NKJV
For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour
what you ought to say."
See the Holy Spirit is always with us, and need not worry about
how or what we will minister. For the Holy Spirit will teach us that very hour!
This brings us to point number three: Listen, and obey! If we are seeking to
pray without ceasing, feasting daily, then when the time comes to minister the
Holy Spirit will teach us, and give us the very words we need! All we have to
do is listen and learn!
Jesus spoke to all those around Him, and their life was changed.
He spoke words that He had heard from the Father, and those words cut to the
heart of the listeners. I want to follow my Lord in all things, and therefore I
want to minister as He did. This comes from continual prayer, reading/studying
His word, and listening with obedient action. Let this look into His word today
be an encouragement to you, as you minister for our Lord too. You have been
called, or you would not be here. So let me encourage you in your ministry. Do
not worry about what you should say or do with your students, just trust! Trust
that the Holy Spirit will lead you in all ways of ministry, and your words will
be effective Let this also flow out beyond our ministry here. Let this
permeate all areas of your life. That you would be the one to bring the light
into the world you live!
Your
Brother in Christ
Grace
and Peace be with you
Nate
Cook, Setting Captives Free Team Member
And Jesus said to me:
Eze 3:10b-11a "...Receive into your heart
all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears, and go, get
to the captives..."
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